
Pressed into action – practice
in Defending
Apply pressure, regain possession and then use the ball in this three-part session. By MICHAEL PHILP MORE
Fernandinho has shown how a defensive midfielder can intercept the ball to break up attacks and then begin a counter attack. This session will help your players emulate the Manchester City star.
Use one ball and four players in a 10-yard square area for the session. Use an area 35 yards long by 20 yards wide for the development and game situation.
Warm up | Session | Developments | Game Situation | Warm Down |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 minutes | 15 minutes | 15 minutes | 15 minutes | 5 minutes |
Play 3v1 keepaway. Award a point to the attackers for completing five passes. The defender earns a point for knocking the ball out of play or forcing the attackers to kick it out, and two points for stealing the ball. Play two-touch and switch defenders after each minute of play.
Play a 3v1 keepaway game. The defender tries to intercept the ball.
Divide the pitch into two halves and use two teams. Two players from team B go into team A’s half of the pitch and try to win the ball in a 4v2.
Team A wins a point for making five consecutive passes in their own half. The two players from team B earn two points for their team by winning the ball and passing it back to a team mate in their own half.
If that happens, they and two players from team A enter team B’s half and start a new 4v2, with the objectives reversed.
Two players from one team try to steal the ballback from the opposition and take it to their half of the pitch.
Play a small-sided game and condition the number of touches a player can have to two, to encourage lots of passing and therefore opportunities to intercept the ball.
To progress, lift the two-touch restrictions.
In a small-sided game, play two-touch so there is lots of passing which offers a good chance of being intercepted.